Welcome back to Fan Chant, a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. This week features a quick check-in with the members of NewJeans around their latest single album. As always, if you haven’t already, feel free to subscribe to my companion newsletter to get Fan Chant delivered right to your inbox each week!
“Throughout this process, it feels like our bond as NewJeans has grown even stronger and tighter,” says Danielle of NewJeans as she reflects on putting together their newest single album, How Sweet. The project focuses on that title track and also includes an accompanying b-side, “Bubble Gum.”
Rounded out by bandmates Minji, Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein, NewJeans have experienced one of the fastest rises in K-pop history since debuting in 2022. Their smooth, engaging brand of Y2k-inspired music helped them quickly establish themselves at home in South Korea andmarkets far beyond. Their new single album is the latest addition to their glittering canon.
“It’s a song that feels intense, yet simple,” observes Haerin. The chorus of the song does sit in a noticeably lower vocal range than some of NewJeans’ other offerings, but the energy stays up thanks to the bubbly beat (and another trademark, choreography-heavy performance from the girls.) “‘How Sweet’ gives off a vibrant and sparkling sensation that brings vivid colors to mind,” Haerin continues.
“Personally, I think The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air comes to mind,” says Hanni, whose hair was chopped to a trendy bob for this music video. “We incorporated hip-hop elements into both the choreography and outfits to capture a more energetic vibe,” confirms Minji.
Spring is currently bleeding into summer, and the members of NewJeans are gearing up for an official Japanese debut (with another new song, “Supernatural”) which will be followed by a two-day concert at the Tokyo Dome. To the members, “How Sweet” arrived at the perfect time, in all its bright, energetic glory. “I think it would be great to listen to “How Sweet” on days when you can feel the sunshine!” says Minji.
The members of NewJeans are still very, very young — Hyein, the maknae, is currently 16 years old — but they’re working to improve more and more with each release, and doing so as a team. “We made so many memories from rehearsals to the music video shoot, and I think about them every time I sing the song,” shares Danielle. “Both the dancing and the singing were not simple tasks, and they required a lot of thought and effort. Even now, I feel like we’re constantly thinking about how to express ourselves in the best and most natural way.”
“The choreography for the ‘How Sweet’ performance was based on old-school hip-hop, and one of the moves is actually something I learned as a trainee,” adds Hyein. “It’s called the ‘prep,’ and it’s used in the hook of the song. I remember having a hard time getting the feel for it when we were practicing because it’s such a unique move.”
Watch the music video for “How Sweet” below.
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Song Rec of the Week:
Don’t mind me, just pregaming for TXT at Madison Square Garden this weekend.